Igniter for explosive-engines.



F. J. MACEY.

Patented Feb. l3, I900.

IGNITER FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Anz. 26. 1898.)

(No Model.)

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FIGB.

TF4: NORRIS rtrsas co., vnoraufna, WASHINGTON, n c.

NITED STATES ATENT FFIQE.

FRED J. MAOEY, OF ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN.-

IGNITER FOR EXPLOS lVE-ENG INES.

SPECIFICATI N forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,513, dated February 13, 1900. Application filed August26, 1898. Serial No. 689,591. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED J. MAOEY, of Ontonagon, in the county of Ontonagon and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Electric Firing Device for-Explosive- Engines, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in electric firing or spark-producing devices used in connection with oil or gas engines.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevationand partial section of an engine having my device applied thereto, and Fig. 2 is an elevation and partial section taken at right angles to Fig. 1.

The engine herein shown upon which my device is applied is of the vertical type and may be of any approved construction. The firing device is adapted tobe attached to any of the explosive engines ordinarily used, whether using gas or oil. In this type of engine it is sometimes found that the firingpins or contact-points become coated either with dirt or oxid, so that the production of the spark is sometimes interfered with and the full power of the engine is somewhat reduced.

The object of my present invention is to insure bright contacting-surfaces upon the contact-points or firing-pins, so that the spark is always certain.

The engine herein shown has a cylinder B, mounted upon a frame A, and the explosive mixture is conducted to the cylinder through a pipe E, which has two pipes E and E respectively, leading to opposite ends of the cylinder.

The type of engine herein shown is double actingthat is, produces an explosion in each end of the cylinder.

The pipes E and E connect with firingchambers F and F, constructed upon the side of the cylinder, said chambers being provided with check-valves e and 6, adapted to close the communication with the pipes E and E whenever the pressure in the firing-chamber becomes greater than the pressure in the pipes. These firing-chambers communicate with the interior of the cylinder by suitable ports. .Each of these firingvchambers is provided with two contact-pins or firing-points, one of which is fixed although adjustably secured in one side of the chamber, while the other is mounted to slide within a suitable stuffing-box and is operated from the outside. The fixed firing-pin G is screw-threaded in an insulated plug g, which is inserted in one side of the firing-chamber. The movable or reciprocating firing-pins k are connected to opposite ends of a reciprocating bar or rod J, which is mounted to slide in suitable guides upon the side of the cylinder.

The cylinder is provided with a boss I, having a suitable guide formed thereon adapted to receive a block I and to guide the same in a straight line between the two firing-chambers. This block is provided with a hole adapted to receive the bar J. The bar J is provided with longitudinally-extending grooves J, which are given a slight spiral twist, so that if the bar is given movement longitudinally relative to the block I it will also be given a slight twisting or turning movement, it being of course understood that the block I is provided with a projection of some sort which will engage the grooves in the bar.

The block I is reciprocated by means of a link L, which is provided with the usual block L, said block being mounted upon a pin L carried by the block I. The link L is reciprocated by means of two eccentrics D and D, which are mounted upon the engine-shaft O and are connected with the links by means of rods 01 and (1. By shifting the link so as to engage opposite ends thereof with the block L the time of action of the firing-pins may be changed, so that the engine will be reversedto turn in opposite directions.

The bar or rod J is screw-threaded at each end and has nuts screwed thereon and acting as adjustable stops for spiral springs K, which surround the ends of the rod or bar between the nuts and the ends of the block I. These springs serve to normally hold the rod in a central position relative to the block, but will yield when the end of the rod or the firing-pin comes in contact with any fixed object. By this means the firing-pin is not rotated until it has contacted with its coopcrating firing-pin.

The block I has a little overtravel that is, travels farther than is necessary to bring the firing-pin in actual contact. This slight overtravel thus causes a slight turning movement of the firing-pins after their ends have come in contact. This turning movement is sufficient to rub off any dirt which may be deposited upon the ends of the pins or any oxid which may form thereon, and thus constantly maintain a bright surface. As a result of this the spark is produced with absolute certainty whenever the pins come in contact and is of such character as to insure explosion of the gaseous mixture.

The batter Y H, which furnishes the elec tricity for the spark, is connected by one side directly to the engine frame or cylinder, as shown at h. The pins G are connected with the other side of the battery.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An electric firing or exploding device for gas-engines, comprising a movable block actuated from the engine, a bar mounted therein and having a spiral grooved connection therewith, a spring connected with the bar and block, and a firing-pin carried by the bar and entering the firing-chamber.

2. An electric firing or exploding device for gas-engines, comprising a block mounted to reciprocate in guides, means for moving the block, a rod mounted in the block and extending in the direction of its reciproeations, springs interposed between the rod and block to normally hold them in certain relative positions, firing-pins, one carried by said rod and entering the firing-chan1ber, and means for causing a rotation of one of the firing-pins upon contact with the other firing-pin.

3. An electric firing or exploding device for gas-engines, comprising a block mounted to reciprocate in guides, means for moving the block, comprising a link having two eccentrics connected thereto and adjustable in order to reverse the engine, a block within said link and pivoted to the reciprocating block, a rod mounted in the reciprocating block and extending in the direction of its reciprocations, springs interposed between the rod and block to normally hold them in a certain position, firing-pins one carried by said rod and entering the firing-chamber, and means for causing a rotation of one of the firing-pins upon contact with the other firing-pin.

- 4. An electric firing device for gas-engines, comprising two firing-pins having relative movement toward and from each other, and means by which they are given a relative rotary movement while in contact.

5. An electric firing device for gas-engines, comprising two firing-pins, one being movable toward the other, means for moving said pin, a spring connection between the pin and its actuating means, and means for turning one of the pins while the pins are in contact with each other.

6. An electric firing device for gas-engines, comprising two firing-pins, one being movable toward the other, a rod carrying the movable pin and havinga spiral groove therein, a movable support for said rod, having a pin or projection engaging the spiral groove in the rod, a spring between said support and the rod, and means for moving said support, whereby the movable firing-pin will be turned upon its axis after contact with the other firing-pin.

FRED J. MAOEY.

\Vitnesses:

(1. MEILLEUR, CLARA Ronnn'rs. 

